Commercial fishermen, whose livelihoods depend on knowing the sea, are being consulted by government on projects ranging from ocean wind farms to the habits of 250 million-year-old sturgeon. Facts provided by 40-year fishing veteran Kevin Wark can play a major role in cooperative research for harvesting responsibly, yet preserving an already highly regulated industry.

“We know that if our fishing infrastructure fails, no one is coming to build a new commercial fishing dock, no one,” said Wark as he talked aboard his 46-foot net boat, Dana Christine…